Banned Books Week 2016

Banned Book’s Week is always the last week of September. Various Greensboro College faculty teamed up to educate some of our students and answer questions about banned books. The panel included TESOL instructor, Dr. King, Sociology Professor, Dr. Rogers, Associate Professor of the ECM department and the Collegian’s very own Dr. Wayne Johns. Also on the panel was Mr. Alexander, the director of communications here at GC, Dr. Kraemer, another instructor of ECM, and our public services librarian, Ms. Miller. The audience was able to ask the panel various questions regarding banned books week but first they were asked why banned books week was important. Ms. Miller told the audience, “It’s our job to bring information to people, no matter who the person and no matter what the book.” She explained that this was one of the many purposes behind her job. Dr. Kraemer explained the importance of reading a wide variety of different voices and subjects. “If you don’t… It’s like going to an international food festival and getting a hamburger.” The question that followed closely related to Dr. Kraemer’s statement. Why do we try to ban diverse voices? Dr. Kraemer explained that most people are scared to break out of their comfort zone and explore new topics. Dr. Rogers bounced off this point by saying that “people are scared to rock the boat and uproot beliefs they have. They’re also scared to recognize difference and inequalities.” We have to ask ourselves what happens when diverse voices are lost. You should have everyone reading books with diverse narratives because it is important to development according to Dr. Johns. Dr. Kraemer added that “to be an educated human being you have to have been exposed to diverse voices and thoughts. Otherwise you’re just being trained.” As citizens we need to help stop censorship and help diverse voices to be heard. Dr. Rogers wants to bring diverse books to young people, not just though school but through the home environment as well from the very start. We also have to educate ourselves on issues and fight against the censorship. Dr. Johns and Dr. Kraemer both agreed with the rest of the panel that we have to read and promote diverse literature.

Most people would be surprised at some of the books that have made the list. Harry Potter, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Diary of Anne Frank, and even Green Eggs and Ham are just some of the hundreds of books on the list. Book burning has been around for centuries and dates all the way back to 700 BC. Book burning is exactly what it sounds like. Most book burnings happened in public places to make a statement or warn the community against reading the books that were not approved of by the government or religious group in charge. Famous incidents of book burning took place during the Nazi regime and was symbolic of the harsh and constrictive nature of the censorship in that society at the time. For more information on banned books week and to see a more extensive list visit: www.ala.com/bbooks